Photographic camera



Jan. 1, 1963 K. GEBELE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 OriginalFiled Sept. 24, 1959 Jan. 1, 1963 K. GEBELE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 24, 1959 I I I I! I l I l Jan. 1,1963 K. GEBELE 3,071,058

\ PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA ori inal Filed Sept. 24, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 5United States Patent Ofitice 3,071,058 Patented Jan. 1, 1963 3,071,058Pit-IQTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Kurt Gehele, Munich, Germany, assignor to Compur-Werk Friedrich Deckel oHG., Munich, Germany, a firm of Germany Originalapplication Sept. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 842,145, now Patent No. 3,044,377,dated July 17, 1962. Divided and this application Dec. 29, 1960, Ser.No. 79,313 Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 26, 1958 8 Claims(Cl. 95--64) The present invention relates to a photographic camera, andmore particularly to setting the exposure value of a still camera.

An object of the invention is the provision of generally improved andmore satisfactory exposure value setting mechanism.

Another object is the provision of exposure value setting mechanismwhich is relatively rugged and not likely to be damaged by operationunder conditions likely to be encountered in actual use.

A further object is the provision of improved mechanism forautomatically setting the diaphragm aperture in accordance with anexposure meter, when desired, the mechanism having provision foroptionally setting the diaphragm manually rather than automatically.

A further object is the provision of mechanism for automatically settingthe shutter speed as well as the diaphragm aperture, so that completelyautomatic setting of the exposure value is achieved.

A still further object is the provision of completely automatic settingmechanism so designed and constructed that the automatic features can bedisconnected or made inoperative when desired to enable manual setting,the mechanism nevertheless remaining relatively simple.

These and other desirable objects may be attained in the mannerdisclosed as an illustrative embodiment of the invention in thefollowing description and in the accompanying drawings forming a parthereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the essential drive members inan embodiment of the invention which provides for manual setting of theshutter speed and automatic setting of the diaphragm aperture;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in axial cross section,further illustrating the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of theinvention in which both the shutter speed and the diaphragm aperture areset automatically.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate thesame parts.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS.'1 and 2, and initially referring mainly to FIG. 2, there is aphotographic camera of any suitable known type and manner of operation,having a main body or housing 1 bearing on its front side a mountingring which encircles the optical axis. On this mounting ring there ismounted an objective shutter unit whose housing or casing is indicatedin general at 10. Near the front of the housing the shutter contains theusual shutter speed control cam ring 20, rotatable about the opticalaxis and operatively coupled with an external speed setting ring 22having operative knobs or finger grips 24. An exposure time scale 23 onthe setting ring 22 cooperates with a stationary index mark 25 on afixed ring near the front of the shutter unit, to enable the shutter tobe set for the desired speed. The speed setting ring 22 is held againstaccidental rotation by any suitable holding means of known form, such asa frictional detent.

The shutter contains the usual annular space 11 in which is located theusual shutter operating or driving mechanism, and the usual shutterblades located within the annular space 13. Since the details of theshutter blades and of the mechanism for operating the shutter blades aresubject to wide variation and are unimportant so far as the presentinvention is concerned, the blades and the operating mechanism have notbeen shown, in order to avoid complicating the drawing. The shutteroperating mechanism may, for example, take the form disclosed in UnitedStates Patents 2,900,885 and 2,900,886, of Geb'ele, both issued August25, 1959, or 2,943,551, of Gebele, issued July 5, 1960, this thirdpatent corresponding in disclosure to British Patent 769,086 mentionedin'the parent application of which this present application is adivision. As customary in a shutter of this type or style, the shutteris usually cocked or tensioned by a shaft which is connected to the filmwinding or film transport mechanism in the camera body, so that theshutter is tensioned automatically and simultaneously when the film isadvanced. The tensioning shaftis indicated fragmentarily at in FIG. 1 ofthe present drawings, and corresponds in function to the shaft 14 insaid second and third mentioned United States patents, and the shaft 20in the first mentioned United States patent. This tensioning shaft 30,which lies parallel to the optical axis, is fixed to a tensioning disk32 (corresponding to the tensioning disk 16 in the second and thirdpatents) which serves to tension or cock the master member or main drivemember of the shutter mechanism, and the shaft also carries a pinion 30'serving the function of the teeth 90 in the third patent, meshing withthe teeth of the control ring 80 (corresponding to the control ring 76in the third patent) to move this control ring to its tensioned positionwhen the shaft 30 is rotated.

In front of the above mentioned shutter speed setting ring 22, there isanother setting ring likewise mounted concentrically about the opticalaxis as a center, this ring hearing on its periphery a film speed scale42 which cooperates with a reference mark 44 on the shutter speedsetting ring 22. A leaf spring 46 secured in the ring 40 has an endwhich engages selectively into one or another of a series of couplingnotches 48 on the shutter speed setting ring 22, thus connecting therings 22 and 40 to each other for conjoint rotation in any one ofvarious selected positions of orientation, depending on the film speedor film sensitivity. A knob 47 secured to the leaf spring 46 andprojecting radially outwardly through an opening in the ring 40, may bepressed radially inwardly to disengages the end of the spring from thenotch in which it has been set, to enable the rings to be turnedrelatively to each other to a different position of orientation, forsetting a different film speed.

The external setting ring 40 is permanently coupled to an internalsetting ring 41 located within the shutter. This ring 41 has gear teeth41' meshing with a pinion 50 fixed to a rotatable shaft 52 which extendsrearwardly from the front portion of the shutter unit into the camerabody. Near the rear end of the shaft 52, there is fixed thereto adriving disk 52 which is in engagement with a driving pin 54' on apinion 5-4 which is rotatable on the shaft 52. A spring 56 interposedbetween the parts 52 and 54 urges these parts into engagement with eachother.

The pinion 54 meshes with gear teeth on a supporting plate 58 rotatablein the camera body, which plate serves as a mounting plate for themeasuring mechanism (i.e., a moving coil galvanometer) of thephotoelectric exposure meter, the photocell of which may be placed atany convenient point such as indicated schematically at 59 near theupper part of FIG. 2. It is desirable to use an exposure meter havinglinear characteristics, at least over that portion of the measurementrange which is employed in automatically setting the exposure value.Thus if the exposure meter has linear characteristics, it can be broughtinto agreement with the linear shutter speed scale and film speed scale.Hence by turning the entire supporting plate 58 on which the measuringmechanism 60 is mounted, the entire measuring mechanism can be turnedbodily, so that its pointer 60 can be brought into any given angularposition with respect to the camera and with respect to the diaphragmaperture scale 62 arranged on a stationary and preferably transparentsupport, located so as to be visible through a viewing window at therear of the camera. This bodily turning of the measuring mechanism ofthe meter, by turning the supporting plate 58, thus serves to introducethe variable factors of exposure time and film speed into the mechanism.

Mounted on the supporting plate 58 is a stirrup-like pivoted clampingmember 64 which, when actuated by a swinging arm 66, presses against theforward face of the pointer 60 and clamps it fast against the stationaryplate 58 located just to the rear of the pointer. The movement of theclamping arm 66 is effected by the camera release member 74 in the formof a plunger suitably mounted on the camera body to be depressed by thefinger of the operator when it is desired to make an exposure. When theplunger 74 is depressed, this compresses a spring 72 which pushesdownwardly on a slidable sleeve 70, thereby moving the arm or link 63connected to the swinging arm 66, to cause the swinging arm to clamp thepointer 60' in a stationary position so long as the downward pressure onthe plunger 74 is continued. When the plunger is released to moveupwardly again, a spring connected to the link 68 moves the sleeve 70upwardly and moves the arm 66 so that the pointer 69 is no longerclamped.

On the supporting plate 58 there are two stop pins 76' and 76" whichlimit the range of swinging movement of the pointer 69. The stop pin 76'serves also as a stop for a feeler member 78 which is fixed to a rotaryshaft 78 and cooperates with the pointer 60 of the exposure meter. Aspring 73 tends to turn the parts 78, 78" in a counterclockwisedirection and to hold them in the extreme or limit position determinedby the pin 76'. (The terms clockwise and counterclockwise as usedherein, refer to directions of rotary movement as seen from a positionin front of the camera, looking rearwardly; that is, looking from theright side of FIG. 1 toward the left thereof.)

The supporting plate 58 has two side wings 58 and 53 in a position toswing in front of and cover part of the diaphragm aperture scale 62,when the supporting plate 58 is swung a substantial angle one way or theother from its central position.

The shutter speed scale 23, the film speed scale as, and the diaphragmaperture scale 62 are all arranged so that there is the same angularinterval between successive steps or graduations of the scales whichhave a complementary effect on the exposure, so that a change of onegraduation in the shutter speed or in the filmspeed, for example, willresult in a change of one graduation or step in the reading of thediaphragm aperture scale 62. It will be obvious from what has been saidabove that when the shutter speed adjusting ring 22 is turned to alterthe shutter speed, this will turn the ring 40 with it (on account of thecoupling 46) and the rotation of the ring 40 will rotate the pinion 50and the shaft 52, thereby turning the mounting plate 53 to change theposition of the pointer 60' on the diaphragm aperture scale 62, to anamount compensating for the change in shutter speed.

It has already been mentioned that the cocking or tensionmg shaft 30carries a pinion 30' which meshes w th gear teeth on the control ring80, which corresponds w1th the control ring 76 in the third mentionedPatent 2,943,551. It should be made clear at this point that the presentcontrol ring 89' in the present case performs other functions inaddition to the functions performed by the ring 76 in the patent, and itdoes not necessarily perform all of the functions of the i g in the PFor example, if the present invention is applied to a camera of thesingle lens reflex type, the present ring may perform, among otherthings, the functions of opening the shutter blades and diaphragm leavesto maximum aperture during the focusing step. But if the presentinvention is applied to a camera which is not of the single lens reflexfocusing type, then there is no need, of course, for this ring 80 toopen the shutter up for focusing.

The present ring 89 is acted upon by a spring 30 which tends to turn thering 80 in a counterclockwise direction to its rest or run-downposition. A locking pawl 32 (corresponding, for example, to the latch 92in said third patent) is operatively connected to the release plunger 74and serves to drop behind a latching notch 30 on the ring 80, to holdthe ring in its cocked or tensioned position until the release plungeris depressed, whereupon the locking pawl 82 is released.

Another projection 80a on the ring 80 serves, when the ring is turned ina clockwise direction, to engage axially extending pin 84a fixed to thediaphragm control ring 84 which constitutes a diaphragm apertureadjusting member and which is rotatable about the optical axis as acenter and which has the usual control slots for actuating the diaphragmleaves 86 which collectively make up an iris diaphragm. A spring 841)acting on the pin 84a tends to turn the diaphragm control ring 8 in acounterclockwise direction, to the position of minimum diaphragmaperture.

The ring 80 also has a driving pin 80b so positioned that when the ring80 is turned in a clockwise direction from its rest or run-downposition, this pin will engage an arm 88b on a swinging lever 88 mountedon a stationary pivot, and turn this lever in a counterclockwisedirection on its pivot, so that the other arm 88a thereof will pushagainst anarm 96a of a swinging lever 90 fixed to the shaft 78 of thefeeler member 78, the pressure being applied in a manner to turn thisshaft 73 clockwise, by the clockwise rotation of the ring 80 and theconsequent counterclockwise rotation of the lever 88. Right alongside ofthe lever 90, there is a locking pawl 92 rotatable on the shaft 78 andhaving a lug 92a constituting a locking tooth. Under the action of acoil spring 94 surrounding the end of the shaft 78', the parts 96 and 92are held in coupling engagement, with the tooth 92a resting against oneedge of the locking lever 99. The locking tooth 92a, depending on theposition to which it is moved by rotation of the shaft 73, lies in thepath of one or another of the step-shaped notches 0r abutments 34bprovided on the periphery of the diaphragm control ring 84.

In an externally accessible position on the circumference or peripheryof the shutter housing, there is a rotatable ring 96 having on its inneredge a cam surface 96a and a radial abutment or stop projection 96b. Thecam surface 96a cooperates with one arm of a double armed lever 98 whichis turnable on a fixed pivot 93a, While the second arm 98!) of thislever can swing into the path of movement of the arm 92]) of the lockingpawl 92. The shoulder or stop projection 96h on the ring 96 extends, incertain adjusted positions of the ring, into the path of an arm 840 onthe diaphragm control ring 84.

The ring 96 also has a detent of known type to h ld this ringfrictionally in any given position in which it has been set. Forinstance, a spring loaded detent ball 1% may engage in any one of aseries of notches 96c successively brought opposite the ball 100 byrotation of the ring 96. On the periphery of the ring 96 there arevarious suitable reference marks such as the mark A and a diaphragmaperture scale 96d, which cooperates with a stationary index mark 102.

This ring 96 serves as a switching member or controlling member todetermine whether the diaphragm aperture is to be set automatically ormanually, and if set manually, to determine at what aperture it is to beset. When the camera is to be used for automatic diaphragm setting, thering 5 6 is turned to the position where the mark A" lies opposite themark 1%. In this normal rest position, the cam surface 96:: is inactive,so that the arm 98b of the lever 98 is out of the path of the arm 92b ofthe locking pawl 92 (the lever 98 being swung to this inactive positionby a spring, not shown) and at the same time the stop shoulder 96b ofthe ring 96 lies beyond the range of movement of the arm 840 on thediaphragm control ring 3 Hence these parts do not interfere in any waywith the intended motion of the pawl 92, which can move, with therotation of the shaft 78', to any position determined by the engagementof the feeler 78 with the pointer 60 of the exposure meter. The lockingpawl 92 partakes of the movement of the shaft 78 because the spring 94tends to keep it in a given position with respect to the lever 90 whichis fixed to the shaft 7 8.

When the appropriate mechanism on the camera body (e.g., the filmfeeding or advancing mechanism) is operated to turn the tensioning shaft30, the control ring 80 is also turned in a clockwise direction, and theportion 80a thereon will engage and carry with it the pin 34a on thediaphragm control ring 84, thereby moving it to its limit position in adiaphragm opening direction (position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1)to open the diaphragm to maximum aperture. During this cocking ortensioning motion, the pin hub on the control ring 813 also engages thearm 88b of the lever 33 and swings the latter in a counterclockwisedirection so as to engage the portion 90a of the lever 96 and swing itand the shaft 78 clockwise. This clockwise movement of the lever 90causes (through the spring 94) corresponding clockwise swinging of thestop pawl 92 until it comes to rest on the base circle of the diaphragmcontrol ring 84. The clockwise turning of the arm 9t and shaft 7 3'alsocauses clockwise swinging of the feeler member '73 to its startingor initial position, ready to perform a feeling operation on the pointer6% of the light measuring instrument.

Thus when cocking or tcnsioning the shutter mechanism (andsimultaneously feeding the film, as disclosed for example in either ofthe first two United States patents above mentioned) the operator needmerely see to it that the shutter speed is set to an appropriate valueby rotation of the ring 22, and that the film speed ring 4ft is properlyset to reflect the speed of the film being used. Any rotation of thering as (either by itself, or jointly with the ring 22) will turn theshaft 52, as above explained, and rotate the mounting plate 53 on whichthe light measuring instrument 6% is mounted, to vary bodily theposition of the measuring instrument in accordance with the selectedshutter speed and film speed. Then after the measurement of the lighthas been effected by the exposure meter in known manner, the pointer 69"of the exposure meter assumes a deflected position which indicates onthe scale 62. the stop or cliaphragm aperture which can subsequently beset by the automatic mechanism. If the pointer 69' does not appear inthe field of the diaphragm scale or that portion thereof which is notobscured by one or the other of the wings 58' and 58") this means that adiaphragm aperture corresponding to the previously selected shutterspeed and film speed cannot be reached by the automatic mechanism. Insuch a case the operator must change the manually selected factors, asfor example by chang ing the selected shutter speed, which will turn themeasuring instrument until a possible diaphragm aperture value isindicated on the scale 62;. For instance, in the position shown in FIG.1, the pointer 60 indicates on the scale 52 that the required stop ordiaphragm aperture is 8 and this can be set by the automatic mechanism.

After first making sure that an automatic setting is possible (byobserving the position of the pointer 60 on the scale 62) the operatornow depresses the release plunger 74. At the start of the downwardmovement of the plunger, the pointer Ga wili he clamped stationary inthe position which it had reached at that time. Then, upon furtherdownward movement of the plunger, the pawl or latch 82 will be released,allowing the spring 39 to turn the control ring 3% in a counterclockwisedirection. The control ring now starts to run down toward its restposition, this return motion being slowed down by suitable retardingmechanism such s the star wheel ltlda fixed to the shaft 30, engaged bya vibrating pallet or anchor 1041:. The slowing down of the returnmovement assures smooth operation, without excessive jar or vibrationwhen one of the moving parts engages another, and prevents the partsfrom reaching such high velocity during the running down movement thatther would be a serious rebound or possible damage at the end of therunning down movement.

During this running down or return movement of the control ring 80, theparts a and 80b respectively release the parts 84a and 88b, so that thespring 78" is able to move the feeler 78 and the shaft 78' until thefeeler comes into contact with the clamped pointer 60 of the measuringinstrument. This rotation of the shaft 78' to a rotary positioncontrolled by the exposure meter moves the tooth 92a to aposition tocooperate with the proper one of the stepped abutments 84b correspondingto the diaphragm aperture to be set. Simultaneously the release of thepart 34:: by the portion 86a of the control ring, allows the spring 84bto turn the diaphragm ring 84 in a counterclockwise direction untilfurther counterclockwise movement is stopped by engagement of one of thesteps 84!) with the tooth 92a, whereupon the further rotation of thering 84 in a diaphragm-closing direction is stopped, and the diaphragmis set to the proper aperture, in this case the aperture f/8. Thus thesteps 8412' on the adjusting member 84, in combination with the tooth92a and the parts (90, 78, 78, etc.) which control the tooth,collectively constitute blocking mechanism for blocking return movementof the aperture adjusting member 84. This block ing mechanism may beregarded as comprising a first part (members '78, 78', resilientlycoupled by the spring 94 to a second part (members 92., 9211, Mb). Thetooth 92a may be considered as an abutment or abutment arm engageablewith the stepped abutments 84b on ring 84, the position of the toothupon engagement being dependent on the adjusted position of the shaft 78and the other or first arm 90.

Since this setting movement of the locking tooth 92a from its tensionedposition to the position controlled by the feeler 78 is a movement in adirection from the optical axis outwardly, and since the steps 84b onthe diaphragm control ring 84 also progress (when the ring turns in arunning down direction) from the optical axis outwardly, there is nodanger of the tooth 92:: missing the proper stop or abutment that it issupposed to engage. The parts can be so proportioned that the runningdown movement of the ring 84 follows very closely the movement of thetooth 92a and the shaft 78'. In other words, it is not necessary todelay the movement of the ring 84 substantially behind the movement ofthe the shaft 78', nor to hold the ring 84 until the tooth 920 has beenfully positioned, before allowing the ring 84 to begin to rotate. On thecontrary, the present invention promotes speedy action of the parts,without danger of erroneous setting.

The first step of the stepped abutment 84!), starting at the basecircle, corresponds to the largest diaphragm aperture of which theconstruction is capable; for example, in the illustrated embodiment, anaperture of f/2.8.

If it is desired to set the diaphragm aperture manually rather thanautomatically (for instance, when taking flash photographs) the switchring 96 is moved in a clockwise direction from the automatic switchposition A. It can now be set to any desired diaphragm aperture, usingthe diaphragm aperture scale 96d in conjunction with the reference point192. When this ring 96 is set to a selected diaphragm aperture position,the stop shoulder 96b engages the arm 840 of the diaphragm con trol ring84 and holds he latter, upon running down from the extreme tensionedposition, in the desired diaphragm aperture position. The movement ofthe ring 96 away from the automatic position also causes the cam surface96a thereon to swing the locking lever 98 in a clockwise direction onits pivot, so that the arm 93!) thereof engages the arm 92b on thelocking tooth 92a, and swings this tooth against the force of the spring94, to keep the tooth out of the path of the steps 8412, although stillallOWing the shaft 78 and the lever 99 to turn. In other words, thelever 98 serves to break or render ineffective the resilient couplingbetween the stop tooth 92a and the lever 90. The feeler 78, shaft 78'and lever 90 still carry out their same normal movements, just as in thecase of automatic setting, but these movements do not cause the lockingtooth 92a to determine the position of the diaphragm control ring 84.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, there is shown anotherembodiment of the invention which completely automatic setting, of theshutter speed as Well as the diaphragm aperture, can be effected. Inthis fully automatic form of the invention, the automatic diaphragmmechanism is so connected with the shutter speed setting device that agiven time of exposure or shutter speed is normally associated with agiven diaphragm aperture.

For example, for an exposure value of 18, a shutter speed of of a secondmay be associated with a diaphragm aperture of f/22, and forprogressively lower exposure values, there are progressively slowershutter speeds and progressively larger diaphragm apertures, until thereis reached a shutter speed of of a second and a diaphragm aperture of172.8, for an exposure value of 8.

In this embodiment of fully automatic setting, all actuation of theexposure meter by the shutter speed and film speed setting rings 20 and41, is dispensed with, since it is sufiicient to adjust the film speedfactor by a manual turning of the plate 58 on which the measuringinstrument of the exposure meter is mounted. For this purpose, asuitable part of the mounting plate 58 projects from the camera body soas to be manually accessible to the operator, and it is turned to set itto any desired film speed value, by bringing a reference mark 105 on theplate 58 opposite the desired graduation of the filrn speed scale 108marked conveniently on the rear wall of the camera body or on astationary portion visible through a window at the rear of the camerabody.

The shutter speed setting ring 20 is, in this embodiment, rotatableabout the optical axis and provided with a spring 110 which tends toturn it in a counterclockwise direction. The shutter speed control pinof the mechanism is indicated diagrammatically at 112, and as wellunderstood in the art, the radial position of this pin with respect tothe optical axis of the camera, determines the speed at which theexposure is made. Merely to mention one of many possible constructions,the pin 112 may correspond to the speed control pin 46 in United StatesPatent 1,687,123 of Deckel and Geiger, issued October 9, 1928. The speedcontrol cam 2 3s on the ring 2 may correspond in function to the speedcontrol cam 61 of the speed control ring 63 in the Deckel and Geigerpatent just mentioned.

The speed control cam Ziis has a portion a which, when opposite the pin112, controls the shutter action to make an exposure of the longestduration which can be timed by the internal mechanism of the shutter; inthis example, & of a second. From this point a, the speed control camextends circumferentially in a clockwise direction and with a radialrise to the point b, which positions the pin 112 to determine theshortest exposure; for example, of a second. In a counterclockwisedirection from the point a, there is a widened part c of the cam, forcontrolling a.bulb exposure, that is, an exposure which is timed manumlyrather than by the internal mechanism of the shutter. The action of thespring 116, in tending to turn the shutter speed control ring 2% in acounterclockwise direction, tends to bring the fastest shutter speedportion b of the cam opposite the pin 112, and also tends to hold an armZtim on the disk 20 in engagement with an arm on the diaphragm aperturecontrol ring 84, so that the speed control ring 20 cannot turn anyfarther in a counterclockwise direction than is permitted by theposition of the diaphragm aperture control ring 84. When the diaphragmaperture control ring 84 is completely run down to its relaxed or restposition, which is the position for the smallest diaphragm aperture, theportion 12 of the cam 2.0.9 will be opposite the pin 112, setting theshutter for the shortest exposure. Rotation of the diaphragm controlring 84 in a clockwise direction (by action of the control ring St, justas in the first embodiment) to its fully tensioned or largest diaphragmaperture postion, will serve, through the arm 28m, to turn the shutterspeed control ring 20 to a position where the cam portion a is oppositethe pin 112, setting the shutter for the longest internally timedexposure. At any intermediate position of the diaphragm aperture controlring 84, there will be a corresponding intermediate position of the cam20s acting on the pin 112, to set the shutter for an intermediate speedof exposure.

When the shutter is cocked or tensioned, just as in the previousembodiment, the control ring will be turned in a clockwise direction,which will cause corresponding clockwise turning of the diaphragmaperture control ring 84 to maximum aperture position, clockwise turningof the shutter speed control ring 20 to the slowest of the internallytimed or instantaneous exposures, and clockwise turning of the shaft 78'to carry the feeler 78 to its initial starting position and to carry thetooth 92a to its initial starting position on the base circle of thering 84, just in advance of the first abutmetn step 8411. Then when theshutter release 74- is operated, the pointer 60' will be clamped just asin the previous embodiment, the control ring 80 will be unlatched sothat its spring will rotate it counterclockwise toward its rest orrun-down position (such movement being retarded by the escapemcnt M441,1041)) and the feeler 78 will cause the locking tooth 92 to bepositioned to engage the appropriate step 84]) of the diaphragm aperturecontrol ring, stopping the counterclockwise rotation of the diaphragmaperture control ring 84 at the appropriate point to set the appropriatesize of aperture just as was done in the previous embodiment. But at thesame time that the diaphragm aperture control ring 84 turnscounterclockwise, the spring turns the shutter speed control ring 28likewise counterclockwise, to follow the motion of the diaphragmaperture control ring, thus making the exposure time progressivelyshorter and shorter as the diaphragm aperture becomes smaller andsmaller. When this setting movement is completed, the final part of thecounterclockwise rotation of the control ring 80 serves to release themaster member or main drive member of the shutter (as explained in thefirst three United States patents mentioned) so that the shutter bladesare opened and closed to make the exposure at the speed determined bythe position of the control ring 20.

With this arrangement, it is unnecessary for the photographer,especially an amateur or inexperienced photographer, to pay anyattention to the shutter speed factor, so that the usual shutter speedscale can be entirely omitted from the shutter, thereby simplifying itto avoid confusion to the untrained photographer.

In the simplest form of the invention, the shutter speed ring 20 and thediaphragm aperture ring 84 may be fixedly connected to each other, sothat they always rotate together. However, the resilient coupling ofthese rings to each other, by means of the spring 110, is preferredbecause this enables the two rings to be oriented to a differentposition relative to each other if it is desired to take care of specialsituations, as for example taking flashlight pictures or time exposures.The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 provides for such disconnection ofthe shutter speed from the diaphragm aperture setting, when desired.

In this case the switching ring 96 no longer bears any mark A as in thefirst embodiment, but it does still bear the diaphragm aperture scale96d. Another switching ring 114 is provided near the front of theshutter housing. It has a switching shoulder or abutment 114a, and alsoa driving pin 114b fixed to the ring 114 and extending axiallyrearwardly therefrom (that is, parallel to the optical axis), and italso carries switching symbols such as the designation A and B and theconventional flashlight symbol consisting of a schematic representationof a stroke of lightning, these designations cooperating with astationary reference mark 116. A suitable catch device or detent (e.g.,a spring pressed ball like the ball 100) holds the ring 114 in anyposition in which it is set, until suflicient force is exerted toovercome the detent and move it to another position.

When this switching ring 114 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 3(that is, with the designation A opposite the index mark 116) theautomatic mechanism for setting both the diaphragm aperture and theshutter speed is operative, and it operates in the manner alreadydescribed. When the ring 114 is turned clockwise from this position,until the flashlight symbol is opposite the index mark 116, the shoulderor abutment 114a engages the arm 20m on the speed setting member 20 anddisplaces it clockwise to such extent as to bring the portion a of thecam 20s opposite the shutter speed control pin 112, to set the shutterfor a speed of of a second. This clockwise movement of the shutter speedcontrol ring 20 not only disengages the connection between the rings 20and 34 (by moving the arm 20m away from the arm 84c) but also disengagesthe driver pin 114b on the ring 20 clockwise away from the pin 96:: ofthe switching ring 96. Therefore it is now possible to move theswitching ring 96 in a clockwise direction to any desired diaphragmaperture setting, without thereby affecting the position of the shutterspeed control ring 2% The manual movement of the switching ring 96 in aclockwise direction from the automatic position indicated, serves in thesame manner described above in connection with the first embodiment, tocause the cam 96a to swing the locking lever 98 to render the automaticdiaphragm setting mechanism ineffective, and to cause the shoulder 96bto move the arm 840 of the diaphragm setting ring 84, to set thediaphragm aperture manually to any desired size, which can be selectedby means of the diaphragm aperture scale 96d. Thus with each manualsetting of the diaphragm aperture, there is now a constant shutter speedor exposure time of of a second, which is suitable for flashlightphotography. As well understood in the art, the length of exposure intaking a flash photograph is really determined primarily by the durationof the flash itself, rather than by the time that the shutter bladesremain open.

If the operator, on the other hand, wishes to retain full freedom ofchoice as to shutter speed, as well as freedom of choice as to diaphragmaperture, then he moves the switching ring 114 still further in aclockwise direction, until the designation B on the ring 114 comesopposite the reference mark 116. The parts operate in the same mannerjust described above, except that now the wide portion of the camopening will lie opposite the exposure speed controlling pin 112, and inthis position the shutter is set for a B or bulb exposure, the time ofwhich is manually controlled in the familiar manner. Thus the operatoris free to make a bulb exposure at any desired speed (with limits of thespeeds that can be timed 10 manually, of course) and is also free toselect any desired diaphragm aperture by appropriate rotation of thering 96.

When the switching ring 114 is turned back in a counterclockwisedirection to the position A the pin 114b again comes into engagementwith the pin 96:: and carries the switching ring 96 back in acounterclockwise direction to its automatic position shown in PEG. 3.Thus the return of the ring 114 to its position for automatic setting ofthe shutterspeed serves simultaneously to return the diaphragm apertureswitching ring to its automatic operating position, avoiding anypossible error in manipulation.

In those cases Where it is not necessary to provide for a B or bulbsetting of the exposure time, a further simplification of theconstruction is possible by connecting the two switching rings 114 and96 permanently to each other for joint rotation at all times. In otherwords, the pin 114b may be fixed to both of these rings. In this case,the section a of the speed control cam 20s is extended further in acounterclockwise direction, concentric with the axis of rotation of thering 20, so that the shutter mechanism will be set for a speed of of asecond through a suitable range of rotation of the ring 20, instead ofjust at one point. Thus when the ring 96 and the ring 114 are turnedtogether in a clockwise direction from the automatic position to any oneof the manual positions, the shutter will remain set at a speed of A ofa second throughout the entire range necessary for setting to anydesired diaphragm aperture. In this case, the diaphragm aperture scale96d can be marked directly on the ring 114 instead of on the ring 96, ifdesired, and may cooperate With the reference mark 116. In effect, therings 96 and 114 thus become a single ring, and can indeed be formed asa single integral piece if desired.

Also it is possible to feed the film speed factor into the mechanism inany suitable known way, not necessarily by turning the entire mountingplate 58, and the same is true of feeding the shutter speed factor intothe mechanism, in the case of the first type of construction. Thus forexample either the shutter speed factor or film speed factor or both canbe fed into the mechanism by using a variable resistance in theelectrical circuit of the exposure meter, like the variable resistanceshown in United States Patent 2,874,622 of Gebele, issued February 24,1959.

It is seen from the foregoing disclosure that the above mentionedobjects of the invention are well fulfilled. It is to be understood thatthe foregoing disclosure is given by way of illustrative example only,rather than by way of limitation, and that without departing from theinvention, the details may be varied within the scope of the appendedclaims.

This invention is in the nature of an improvement on the inventiondisclosed in the copending United States patent application of KurtGebele, Serial No. 803,264, filed March 31, 1959, now Patent 3,044,376,granted July 17, 1962. Certain subject matter disclosed but not claimedherein is claimed in said copending application.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 842,145, filedSeptember 24, 1959, now Patent 3,044,377, granted July 17, 1962.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic camera including a diaphragm having an adjustableaperture and a diaphragm aperture adjusting member movable through arange to various positions for adjusting the diaphragm to variousdifferent aperture sizes, spring means tending to move said adjustingmember to a rest position at one end of its range, means for moving saidadjusting member to a tensioned position at the opposite end of itsrange, an exposure meter, blocking mechanism controlled by said exposuremeter for blocking return movement of said aperture adjusting memberfrom its tensioned position toward its rest position at a variable pointdepending upon the position of said exposure meter, a shutter, a shutterspeed control member movable through a range from a rest position to atensioned position, cooperating abutment portions on said apertureadjusting member and said speed control member so arranged that theposition of said aperture adjusting member determines the extent towhich said speed control member may move toward its rest position andthat said aperture adjusting member may move toward its rest positionwithout restraint from said speed control member, and separate springmeans tending to move said speed control member from its tensionedposition toward its rest position so far as permitted by the position atwhich said aperture adjusting member is stopped by said blockingmechanism, thereby resiliently coupling said speed control member tosaid aperture adjusting member to move therewith during movement of saidaperture adjusting member to a position determined by said blockingmechanism.

2. A construction as defined in claim 1, further including a movableswitching member cooperating with said speed control member andshiftable from a first position in non-interfering relation to themovements of said speed control member from its tensioned positiontoward its rest position, to a second position holding said speedcontrol member stationary in a predetermined position notwithstandingmovement of said aperture adjusting member from its tensioned positiontoward its rest position.

3. A construction as defined in claim 1, further including manuallyoperable switching means for rendering said blocking mechanismineffective, for selectively positioning said aperture adjusting memberindependently of said blocking mechanism, and for moving said shutterspeed control member to a predetermined constant shutter speed setting.

4. In a photographic shutter assembly construction, the combination of ashutter speed control member movable through a range of travel includinga plurality of positions determining a plurality of diiferent shutterspeeds, a diaphragm aperture control member movable through a range oftravel including a plurality of positions determining a plurality ofdiaphragm apertures of different sizes, spring means applying forceseparately to said speed control member and said aperture control memberand tending to move said speed control member toward a rest position atone end of its range and said aperture control member toward a restposition at one end of its range, releasable means formoving both ofsaid control members from their rest positions to and holding both ofthem in respective tensioned positions against the force of said springmeans, means for stopping return movement of one of said control membersfrom tensioned position to rest position .at a variable point dependingupon illumination conditions of a photographic exposure to be made, andcooperating abutment means on said two control members and effectiveonly in a direction to limit the return movement of the other of saidcontrol members by the position of the control member stopped at saidvariable point, to cause both of said control members to stop theirreturn movements concomitantly at correlated points in their respectiveranges of travel, said cooperating abutment means being ineffective tolimit return movement of the control member which is stopped at saidvariable point.

5. In a photographic shutter assembly construction, the combination of ashutter speed control member movable through a range of travel includinga plurality of positions determining a plurality of different shutterspeeds, a diaphragm aperture control member movable through a range oftravel including a plurality of positions determining a plurality ofdiaphragm apertures of ditierent sizes, spring means tending to movesaid speed control member from a position of relatively slow shutter ingsaid speed control member to its position of slowest speed and saidaperture control member to its position of maximum aperture and forholding said control members respectively in such positions untilreleased for return movement under the influence of said spring means,cooperating abutment means on said two control members and effectiveonly in a direction to limit movement of said speed control member underthe influence of said spring means in one direction relative to saidaperture control member so that as said aperture control member movesthrough positions of successively smaller apertures said speed controlmember may follow along with said aperture control member, if otherwisefree to do so, through positions of successively faster shutter speedswith predetermined correlated relation between diaphragm aperture andshutter speed at any given moment during their return movements, meansfor stopping return movement of said aperture control member at avariable point, thereby stopping movement of said speed control memberat a corresponding variable point as a result of the action of saidabutment means when said speed control member is free to move with said.aperture control member under the influence of said spring means, andswitching means selectively effective to hold said speed control memberagainst movement following along with said aperture control member.

'6. A photographic shutter assembly construction comprising a diaphragmaperture control ring rotatable to any one of a successive series ofpositions representing a successive series of aperture sizes, a shutterspeed control ring rotatable to any one of a successive series ofpositions representing a successive series of shutter speeds, rotationof both of said rings simultaneously in one direction serving to reducethe aperture and increase the shutter speed, rotation of both of themsimultaneously in the opposite direction serving to increase theaperture and decrease the shutter speed, and resilient coupling meansacting in a rotary direction for coupling said two rings to each otherto turn together normally in the same relation of orientation withrespect to each other, so that adjustment of said aperture control ringto any given position will normally be accompanied by adjustment of saidspeed control ring to a corresponding given position and so that as saidaperture control ring is adjusted to suecessive positions in an aperturereducing direction, said speed control ring will simultaneously beadjusted to successive positions representing faster shutter speeds toproduce shorter exposures, said resilient coupling means being so formedthat restraint of rotation of said speed control ring in one directionwill not restrain movement of the aperture control ring in the samedirection.

7. A photographic shutter assembly construction comprising a diaphragmaperture control ring rotatable to any one of a successive series ofpositions representing a successive series of aperture sizes, a shutterspeed control ring rotatable to any one of a successive series ofpositions representing a successive series of shutter speeds, rotationof both of said rings simultaneously in one direction serving to reducethe aperture and increase the shutter speed, rotation of both of themsimultaneously in the opposite direction serving to increase theaperture and decrease the shutter speed, disengageable coupling meanscoupling said two rings to each other to turn together normally in thesame relation of orientation with respect to each other, so thatadjustment of said aperture control ring to any given position willnormally be accompanied by adjustment of said speed control ring to acorresponding given position and so that as said aperture control ringis adjusted to successive positions in an aperture reducing direction,said speed control ring will simultaneously be adjusted to successivepositions representing faster shutter speeds to produce shorterexposures, said disengageable coupling means comprising cooperatingabutment parts on said two control rings and spring means tending toturn said shutter speed control ring to keep said abutment parts incontact with each other, so that rotation of said aperture control ringin one direction will apply force through said .abutment parts to causecorresponding rotation of said speed control ring against the force ofsaid spring means and so that during rotation of said aperture controlring in the opposite direction said spring means will normally causesaid speed control ring to follow along with the rotation of saidaperture control ring while said abutment parts remain in cooperativeengagement with each other, and a manually operable shutter speedswitching ring mounted for rotation concentrically with said speedcontrol ring and having a portion for engaging said speed control ringto turn it and hold it against the rotative force of said spring means,thereby disengaging said disengageable coupling means.

8. A photographic shutter assembly construction comprising a diaphragmaperture control ring rotatable through a range of positions frommaximum aperture to minimum aperture, a shutter speed control ringrotatable coaxially with said aperture control ring through an ordinaryrange of positions from a relatively slow internally timed exposure to arelatively fast internally timed exposure, said ordinary range ofrotation of said speed control ring being of substantially the sameangular extent as said range of rotation of said aperture control ringand being so related thereto that rotation of said speed control ringfrom said slow internally timed exposure toward a faster internallytimed exposure is in the same direction of rotation as the rotation ofsaid aperture control ring from maximum aperture toward minimumaperture, said speed control ring being capable of additional rotationbeyond one end of its said ordinary range to a special purpose shutterspeed position, a spring tending to turn said speed control ring fromsaid special purpose position toward the opposite end of its ordinaryrange, another spring tending to turn said aperture control ring throughits range in the same direction as that in which said speed control ringis turned by its spring, an abutment portion on said aperture controlring, a cooperating abutment portion on said speed control ring soarranged that when said aperture control ring is turned against theforce of its spring to tension such spring, the abutment portion thereonwill entrain the abutment portion on the speed control ring and causecorresponding rotation of the speed control ring against the force ofits spring to tension such spring, releasable latch means for holdingsaid aperture control ring in spring-tensioned position and therebyholding said speed control ring also in springtensioned position throughthe cooperative action of said abutment portions except when said speedcontrol ring is otherwise held, a switching ring rotatable coaxiallywith said aperture control ring and said speed control ring, saidswitching ring having an ordinary exposure position in which it does notinterfere with rotation of said speed control ring through its saidordinary range of rotation, said switching ring being rotatable from itssaid ordinary position to a special purpose position and having aportion for entraining said speed control ring during such rotation toturn said speed control ring to its said special purpose position,thereby separating the abutment portion on said speed control ring fromthe abutment portion on the aperture control ring and further tensioningthe spring of the speed control ring, and stop means for determining theextent to which the spring of said aperture control ring may turn saidaperture control ring in a running-down movement from itsspring-tensioned position toward the opposite end of its range when saidlatch means is released, said speed control ring following along withthe rotary movement of said aperture control ring with the abutmentportion on the speed control ring remaining in spring pressure contactwith the abutment portion on the aperture control ring when saidswitching ring is in its said ordinary position, said speed control ringremaining stationary in its special purpose position during running downmovement of said aperture control ring when said switching ring is inits said special purpose position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,868,095 Gebele Jan. 13, 1959 2,906,166 Herteich Sept. 29, 19592,926,587 Gebele Mar. 1, 1960 2,984,164 Melle May 16, 1961 2,990,758Sauer July 4, 1961

1. A PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA INCLUDING A DIAPHRAGM HAVING AN ADJUSTABLEAPERTURE AND A DIAPHRAGM APERTURE ADJUSTING MEMBER MOVABLE THROUGH ARANGE TO VARIOUS POSITIONS FOR ADJUSTING THE DIAPHRAGM TO VARIOUSDIFFERENT APERTURE SIZES, SPRING MEANS TENDING TO MOVE SAID ADJUSTINGMEMBER TO A REST POSITION AT ONE END OF ITS RANGE, MEANS FOR MOVING SAIDADJUSTING MEMBER TO A TENSIONED POSITION AT THE OPPOSITE END OF ITSRANGE, AN EXPOSURE METER, BLOCKING MECHANISM CONTROLLED BY SAID EXPOSUREMETER FOR BLOCKING RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID APERTURE ADJUSTING MEMBERFROM ITS TENSIONED POSITION TOWARD ITS REST POSITION AT A VARIABLE POINTDEPENDING UPON THE POSITION OF SAID EXPOSURE METER, A SHUTTER, A SHUTTERSPEED CONTROL MEMBER MOVABLE THROUGH A RANGE FROM A REST POSITION TO ATENSIONED POSITION, COOPERATING ABUTMENT PORTIONS ON SAID APERTUREADJUSTING MEMBER AND SAID SPEED CONTROL MEMBER SO ARRANGED THAT THEPOSITION OF SAID APERTURE ADJUSTING MEMBER DETERMINES THE EXTENT TOWHICH SAID SPEED CONTROL MEMBER MAY MOVE TOWARD ITS REST POSITION ANDTHAT SAID APERTURE ADJUSTING MEMBER MAY MOVE TOWARD ITS REST POSITIONWITHOUT RESTRAINT FROM SAID SPEED CONTROL MEMBER, AND SEPARATE SPRINGMEANS TENDING TO MOVE SAID SPEED CONTROL MEMBER FROM ITS TENSIONEDPOSITION TOWARD ITS REST POSITION SO FAR AS PERMITTED BY THE POSITION ATWHICH SAID APERTURE ADJUSTING MEMBER IS STOPPED BY SAID BLOCKINGMECHANISM, THEREBY RESILIENTLY COUPLING SAID SPEED CONTROL MEMBER TOSAID APERTURE ADJUSTING MEMBER TO MOVE THEREWITH DURING MOVEMENT OF SAIDAPERTURE ADJUSTING MEMBER TO A POSITION DETERMINED BY SAID BLOCKINGMECHANISM.